The word “autism,” when heard for the first time from a doctor, sends chills down most parents’ spines. The follow-up question always comes close after that: how severe is my child’s autism? There is an answer, and it is based on autism levels.
The latest edition, called the DSM-5, was released by the American Psychiatric Association in 2013. The new manual has redefined the way in which physicians diagnose autism spectrum disorder (ASD). No longer will physicians make a specific diagnosis such as Asperger’s syndrome; rather, all individuals with ASD are diagnosed with the same condition, autism spectrum disorder.
(Curious how the old label fits into today’s diagnosis? Learn what Asperger syndrome is and how it fits into an autism diagnosis.) Within that one diagnosis, they assign a level. That level tells you how much day-to-day support a person needs to thrive.
For many parents, this change may seem confusing. You may hear “Level 2” during your child’s evaluation and leave the office with numerous questions.
But what does this number mean for your child’s academic performance, relationships, or future life in general? After determining the criteria for each severity level, you are sorted.
Severity Levels of Autism Spectrum Disorder
The severity levels of ASD can be grouped into three categories: Level 1 (needs support), Level 2 (needs substantial support), and Level 3 (needs very substantial support). Nonetheless, severity levels are not progressive from one level to another; they are mainly concerned with two major things: social communication and repetitive behavior.
It is important to understand that the level of severity cannot be determined based only on some test or simple checklist. In most cases, a psychologist, developmental pediatrician, or another qualified professional evaluates the child’s skills by watching them in action, interviewing parents about daily routines, and collecting feedback from teachers and other professionals who are working with the child. It means that a person can change their level of severity throughout life, particularly in the case of children, due to therapy, development, and practice.
Level 3 Autism: “Requiring Very Substantial Support”
Social Communication
A person at this stage experiences difficulty communicating verbally and nonverbally, which affects every aspect of their activities throughout the day. They may say only a few words that can be understood, initiate a conversation on very rare occasions, and react to other people’s attempts of approaching only when the approach is very direct. Find out how an AAC device can support a child who struggles with verbal communication.
Restricted, Repetitive Behaviors
Rigid routines and inflexible behavior show up strongly here too. Even small changes to a daily schedule can cause real distress, and shifting attention from one task to another takes a lot of extra support across every part of life.
Level 2 Autism: “Requiring Substantial Support”
Social Communication
The problems with communication are evident even with the available support systems in place. The child may be able to use simple, brief sentences during speech, but their communication is likely to revolve around the same topic(s). Their gestures and tone of voice are also perceived as odd by others who don’t know them.
Restricted/Repetitive Behavior
The behaviors are common enough for anyone, be it the child’s teacher, relative, or a stranger at the park, to recognize them easily. Switching gears between activities still causes visible frustration or difficulty in a variety of settings.
Level 1 Autism: “Requiring Support”
Social Communication
However, without appropriate assistance, the individual in Level 1 is likely to encounter genuine problems initiating conversations and interpreting social cues appropriately. While it is true that people are able to speak in full sentences, there might be some difficulty keeping up with the flow of conversation.
Repetitive and Restricted Behavior
The inability to think flexibly or adapt to changes makes it tough for someone to excel in academic settings, professional settings, or independent living. It is hard to organize oneself.
Why Knowing the Autism Level Matters
The lack of understanding regarding the different levels of autism will not do much good when it comes to diagnosing the condition. With a thorough knowledge of where one’s child belongs among those levels, parents will be able to design an effective therapy based on concrete needs rather than assumptions. That’s precisely why families appreciate ABA Therapy in Utah so much: a quality ABA program adapts to the level of the child’s development and continuously evolves as the child develops.
Just imagine how different the treatment plans for a Level 1 child practicing reading body language at recess and a Level 3 child mastering the tolerance of changing bedtime routine are going to be.
Of course, both children need to undergo ABA therapy, but the set of skills they develop through it, the pace, and the methods of reinforcement will vary greatly.
Each level of autism brings with itself certain strengths as well as weaknesses, and the proper support doesn’t aim to take away the essence of a child, but provide him with communication tools.
Talk to Reach Higher ABA
If you are curious about which category your child belongs to, or you are open to pursuing therapy treatment tailored to their needs, contact us we have experience working with parents in Utah, helping to design ABA therapy for children of all three autism categories.
